What makes Bach’s music so expressively potent; what might account for the celebrated eloquence of the Goldberg Variations? The affective qualities of Bach’s music may seem to sit uncomfortably with its celebrated technical sophistication. This talk will explore the ways in which these apparent opposites are held together, aiming to situate Bach’s series of Clavierübung publications in their historical and cultural context – on the cusp of the Enlightenment.

This talk forms part of a day of discussions and performances exploring the Bach Goldberg Variations.